Cádiz city travel information and video

Holiday information, facts, photos and video about Cádiz city

Reviews for Cádiz city

Average overall ratings - Based on 34 reviews.

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John Allen

Featured holiday homes in Cádiz province

Cadiz city

The city of Cadiz, capital of the province of the same name, is situated in the southwest of Andalusia and is one of Spain’s best-kept secrets.

Cadiz has been a seafaring, trading town for more than 3,000 years, in fact it is the oldest city on record in western Europe. Visitors to Cadiz always fall in love with the city, which combines a rich cultural heritage with an upbeat, friendly ambience; not to mention the wonderful local seafood and tapas.

History
The capital city of the province, Cadiz, is the oldest city in Western Europe; records suggest that the city dates back more than 3,000 years and was the location for the original Iberian settlers. From there the region was occupied by the Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians – for whom it was an important trading post, the Romans, who were then defeated by the Visigoths.

About town
Cadiz is a wonderful city that dates back more than 3,000 years; its rich cultural heritage is evident through its streets and buildings. However, it isn’t a stuffy historical city, on the contrary, it has a wonderful upbeat, friendly atmosphere.

The city stands on a peninsula jutting out into a bay, which is almost entirely surrounded by water.
Ascend to the top of the city’s cathedral and you will almost feel like you are standing on the stern of a boat, all you can see is water.

The old city is distinctly Moorish in appearance and a gem to explore with its narrow cobbled streets, beautiful plazas (squares), fabulous fish market and numerous tapas bars. However, there is also a part, which has a distinct Cuban feel, with colourful buildings and even more colourful people, residing there.

One of the most beautiful spots in the city is the Plaza de Mina, which is a square located in the heart of the old town. The Museum of Cadiz is located here. Other landmarks are the Plaza San Antonio, Plaza de San Francisco with its church and convent, and the Plaza de Candelaria.

Cultural attractions
The city is filled with cultural interests and surprises, from its 16th century city walls, Las Puertas de Tierra, to the Cathedral Nueva, which is a magnificent 18th century Baroque structure, which if you ascend to the top domed terrace you can see the whole of the bay stretched out in front of you.

The Torre Tavira (watchtower) is the city’s highest watchtower, which dates back to the 18th
century and boasts amazing views across the city.

The wonderful church of Oratorio de Santa Cruz contains some fine Goya paintings and the Casa del Almirante (Admiral’s House) which dates back to the 16th century, situated in Plaza San Martin, is an exquisite piece of architecture with an elegant history.

There are many more interesting monuments and attractions throughout Cadiz, and there is much to
explore.

Beaches
Gaditanos don’t just go to the beach to sunbath; the city’s local beaches are a social meeting point
for the locals. The most popular beach is La Playa de la Caleta, which is located in the La Viña neighbourhood, its been awarded a blue flag and appeared in the James Bond movie, Die Another Day.

La Playa de la Victoria is a fabulous, wide open expanse of sand, with its beautiful Paseo Maritimo (promenade), filled with chiringuitos, where you can enjoy a wonderful meal in great surroundings.

There are also the beaches of La Playa de Santa Maria del Mar and La Playa de la Cortadua, which is the city’s longest beach.

Cadiz Carnival

In February the insane Cadiz Carnival takes place, the origins of the carnival date back to the 16th
century, when Cadiz imitated the Venic Festival, since then customs have stuck, and the carnival of Cadiz is know famous for its over the top costumes, and chirigotas – humourous singing groups who sing tales about current affairs,
famous personalities, or life in general. Most groups just sing in the streets to the happy crowds, but head to carnival’s most famous venue, the Gran Teatro Falla, where you will see the best groups compete.

Cuisine
The cuisine of Cadiz has many influences from its past, Moorish, Phoenician and Roman, but all of these add up to a typically Andalusian gastronomy. Aside from seafood dishes, specialities include guiso de rabo de toro (oxtail stew) and perdiz estofado (partridge casserole).

The seafood and shellfishfrom this region are particularly delicious and succulent and feature high on all menus in the city and throughout the province. Particularly good are the mussels, langoustines, clams, crab and razor-shell molluscs, that are easily found by rooting around in the shallows. In Puerto de Santa Maria there is a seafood restaurant with a shop attached, you shop for your seafood, and  the restaurant cooks it for you. Simply delicious and fun!

Tapas also plays an important part of the gastronomy of the city; in some bars when the local Cadiz football team are playing, they serve tapas with yellow sauce, which is the colour of
their team!

You can also indulge in the Ruta del Tapeo (Tapas Route), passing from different bars and restaurants and savouring a tapa in every one.

Climate
The province of Cadiz enjoys a mild climate; the hottest period of the year is during the summer months of July and August, when the temperature rises to around 32 degrees, and the winter months
drop to around 18 degrees. The provinces receives about 300 days and 3200 hours of sunshine per year.

 

Things to do while you are here

Reviews for Cádiz city

Average overall ratings - Based on 34 reviews.
City
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6. Apr 2018
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Cádiz city review



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1. Jan 2018
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27. Jul 2015
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Cádiz city review

Easy to get around, very hot in July, great tapas, good beach


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28. May 2015
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23. Oct 2014
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Cádiz city review

Great place,full of interest,as is the surrounding area


Costa de la Luz reviews

Very pretty
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6. Oct 2014
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Cádiz city review

Cadiz has a long history. Being one of the first cities to be settled and one of the longest to be inhabited in history! Having lived in Rome and in Athens for many years, the ruins and artifacts of the ancient Gades were fascinating to me. The bus service and train service right in Cadiz were very convenient to go further afield. Day trips to Sanluccar de Barameda and a short bus trip to the modern end of Cadiz offered some wonderful diversion. Being in the historic part of Cadiz and close to the La Caleta made the stay completely enjoyable.


Costa de la Luz reviews

This coast has inspired many famous painters, Spanish and otherwise. The light is superb and sunsets not to be missed. The Atlantic Ocean is fresh but not cold. The beaches are broad and interesting lined with a very easy wide boardwalk for walking or bicycling. With my two little nietas, 5 and 6, La Caleta was the perfect beach. Easy small waves, great sand for castles and a good restaurant right there. Further down the beach one can find higher waves, but the entire coastline is bordered by lovely fine sand. We chose Costa de la Luz over Costa del Sole because of the problems with jellyfish on the Mediterranean side. With children it is better not to have to worry about the jellyfish!
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25. May 2014
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Cádiz city review

Cadiz is a relaxing city with numerous places of interest to visit. Its plentiful bars and restaurants provide a good choice of places to eat and drink. There is a good train and bus service to access nearby towns and villages.


Costa de la Luz reviews

Good clean beaches.
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14. Mar 2014
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Cádiz city review

Great place to get lost in.


Costa de la Luz reviews

Fabulous
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29. Dec 2012
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Cádiz city review

Good choice for a winter break, plenty to see and do, the weather was dry and sunny. Cadiz remains 'open' over the Christmas period and therefore was particulalrly good for a break during the festive season. Combined well with some time in nearby Seville, with flights from the UK into Seville airport.


Costa de la Luz reviews

Did not see anything of the rest of this area other than Cadiz itself.
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29. Oct 2012
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Cádiz city review

Nice old town.


Costa de la Luz reviews

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20. Oct 2012
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Cádiz city review

Very nice town. Nice restaurants, bars and cafes. People are very friendly and openminded.


Costa de la Luz reviews

Best beaches we have visited in Spain.
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1. Jul 2012
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Cádiz city review

Nice combination of long history, sun, beaches, shopping. City is still lively and compact size. In old town you everything is in walking distance. Taxi prices cheap and food excellent.


Costa de la Luz reviews

Beautiful area. Jerez, Cadiz, Vejer de La Frontera and Gibraltar is something to look in area. Beaches are really nice, clean and well maintained. Great location for windsurfing etc.
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27. Feb 2012
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Cádiz city review

Carnivale in Cadiz! Woohoo.


Costa de la Luz reviews

The unspoiled coast. I'll take it over the Costa Del Sol anyday.
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5. Jan 2012
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Cádiz city review

A good place to relax with old streets and beautiful beach. Found it hard to find quality meals, however, having a kitchen meant we could cook great fish from the market which was cheap and plentiful.


Costa de la Luz reviews

Nice
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15. Dec 2011
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Cádiz city review

Wonderful stay in the old part of the city. Vibrant plazas but quiet at night. Highly recommend it for a visit of a day or two,


Costa de la Luz reviews

Can't comment as we only stayed in the city of Cadiz.
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